Fishing Report
Looks wonderful for the weekend. Plenty of trout in all pools. Indeed, more than plenty. Indeed, there are masses of them… You will need to "fish the conditions" with clear visibility and use lighter gear and smaller flies. Get into it early as the wind increases most afternoons. In these temperatures you hardly need waders unless you prefer to keep dry. In the lower river the browns are running but it is hard work waiting for cicadas. Keep searching for the browns which are active. Those lying still refuse everything you can throw at them most of the time. Ignore them and keep searching until you find one feeding.
Tramping Report:
Continuing yesterday’s report from TRM’s mountain Guide – Pip… The 17km Tongariro Alpine Crossing track has been very popular over the fine summer days we have been enjoying. We get as many enquiries from trampers as fishos. BUT those who are considering the Tongariro Crossing need to be aware that when the weather turns to the South the track freezes, the wind almost blows you off the summit, and visibility is reduced to nil. In those conditions it can be a very unpleasant experience. There is no joy in tramping for 17 km without seeing the Red Crater and Blue Lakes and wide views which take in Mt. Taranaki about 100 km to the West and beyond Lake Rotoaira and Lake Taupo to the North. So choose your days carefully. If it looks "iffy then please have Plan B.
There are several good other Plans B, or C, or D or E options. Pip’s usual recommendations are –
B If you particularly want an alpine tramp and the weather turns to custard then drive past Mangatepopo Road and go to the SH48 – Bruce Road. Behind the Chateau is an excellent Information Centre with info on all other walks. In marginal weather we always recommend the two hour walk to the Taranaki Falls as it is a circuit route and if you get cold you can buy a hot chocolate on your return. Pip has even been known to buy the hot chocolate drinks without the tramp. But that is quite unfair as she did walk to Taranaki Falls on a wet Christmas Day 2007. She has also walked (slowly) the Silica Rapids track so she now qualifies as an expert mountain guide.
C Other options below the snow line include the tramp around Lake Rotopounamu (allow 2 leisurely hours) which has a very sheltered native bush canopy and features more native bird life than other tracks and a beach for the kids swim half way round. A couple of years ago the NZ Herald held a comprehensive readers competition on the best hidden secrets in NZ and this Lake Rotopounamu (Greenstone Lake) walk won! The car park is about 10 minutes or 11 km from TRM on SH47.
D The TRM favourite river walk which takes from one hour up to four hours depending on the route. Ask Pip – she managed this comfortably in three and a half hours before Christmas, and she is ancient. Trampers and Mountain Bikers and Anglers should note that whilst some of the anglers access tracks have been cleared by contractors recently the track above the Trout Centre extending along the RHS of the bypass up to the Silly Pool is now unpassable and covered with blackberry. Recently the Rose family (featured on front page) returned almost scarred for life after we sent them on this route! So for the Big Day Out (BDO) circuit we have now been sending mountain bikers and walkers out onto SH1 between the Red Hut car park and the trout centre. TRM will advise when this section of track is open again.
E If the fish aren’t biting you and the wind drives you out of the river then you might be interested in some local cultural and military history, involving only a 7 minute walk from the car park across the upper Wanganui River. This is the Te Porere Redoubt (1869) – a Tongariro Heritage site. Access is from Highway 47, 26 km southwest of Turangi. Te Porere comprises the (original unrestored but well preserved) earthworks of a Maori fortification built by the prophet and famous warrior Te Kooti and is the site of the last major engagement of the New Zealand Wars in October 1869. It is fascinating to see how they built a "British military castle" conceptual design to defend against the colonial troops. A classic battle where everyone won? If this was the last site of any major fight against indigenous Indians any where else in the world, there would be a museum and exhibition hall and hot dog stands and escorted tours and tour buses. But this is Turangi so there is only a faded AA sign…
Horticultural Report
Special note for Trisha – following yesterday’s report I imediately had an enquiry from a fishing widow. Where is the best place for picking blackberries? So this is confidential just for Trisha… Proceed south on SH1 for about 3 km to the side road indicated with AA signs for Admirals Pool, turn left, after one km take right fork and park in Stag Pool Car Park, follow walking track up river – refer Boof’s photo below), take right branch and after about 200 m you cant miss them.
This part of the track also needs clearing but please leave it until after Trisha has picked her seasonal crop. Worth the trip in March for the blackberries alone but there is also a great new pool which has developed on the LHS at the head of the Stag Pool. (Anglers will note we have hidden this info update in our Horticultural Report – it pays to read everything!)
So that is how you get a leave pass – promise Mum you are only here for the blackberry pie.
The golden queen peaches at Admirals Pool lookout have all gone. Some rotten B!#@(!:.. But they had brown rot anyway.
Ten Volunteers needed.
The World Fly Fishing Championships are being held at Lake O and Lake Rotoaira in late March. They need another 10 controllers for the boat sessions on Lake Otamangakau and Lake Rotoaira. Contact www.2008worldflyfishingchamps.com and register as a controller. You might even learn something…